Control system



Dec. 23, 1941. w. A. RAY 2,267,215

CONTROL SYSTEM Original Filed Jan. 21, 1957 Fae/mat:

MAL/AM 4. 64;;

IN VENTOR.

A TTORNE Y Patented Dec. 23, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE 2,267,215 r CONTROL SYSTEM William A. Ray, Glendale, Calif. Original application January 21, 1937, Serial No.

Divided and this application June 25, 1940, Serial No. 342,333

7 Claims. (61. 236-74 My present invention relates to condition control systems, and particularly to a modulating system wherein a member, movable to a plurality of positions for variably controlling a condition, such as temperature, pressure, or the like, is positioned in accordance with the existing variation of the condition from a predetermined value.

It is an object of this invention to provide means for accurately so positioning a conditioncontrolling member when the means employed for moving the member is in the form of a liquidpressure operated motor. Such a motorcomprises a chamber provided with a movable wall'or partition (as a piston, bellows, or diaphragm) which is biased in one direction of movement and is movable in the opposite direction againstv the bias by the pressure .of liquid pumped into the chamber. Movement of the partition under the influence of the bias is efiected by opening a relief valve, connected to the pressure chamber, to reduce the liquid pressure therein.

It is a further object to provide simple, dependable and effective means for accomplishing the V above-stated object.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be found in the description, the drawing, and the appended claims.

This application is a. division of my copending application, Serial No. 121,575, filed January 21, 1937.

For complete understanding of the invention,

reference may be had to the followingdetailed description and accompanying drawing, wherein the single figureis a diagrammatic view of a heating control system embodying my present invention.

In the drawing, indicated by the legend is a gas-consuming furnace, fuel supply to which is controlled by a modulating valve 12, which comprises a valve member [3 cooperable with a valve seat l4 and biased theretoward by a compression spring l5. The stem 16 of the valve member is connected at its upper end to the piston I l of a liquid-pressure operated motor 18 which comprises a cylinder l3,'the upper and lower ends of which arerespectively connected by pipes 20 and 2| to a liquid pump, driven by an electric motor, both of these devices being indicated by legends. The pumpmay be of any conventional type adapted to circulate, only in the direction,

of the arrows; the liquid (preferably, oil) with which the areas above and below the piston H are filled.

The pipes 20 and 2| are interconnected by a normally-open relief valve 22 operated by a soleliquid cannot now in the opposite direction I through the pump, nor through the closed relief valve. If, however, the solenoid is now deener- -gi zed, the piston moves downward under the influence of spring [5, the liquid passing from the area below the piston to the area above it through the open relief valve.

The arm 24 of'a normally-closed switch 25 is positioned was to be engaged (and the' switch thus opened) by the piston H in its upward movement. This switch is connected in the pump motorcircuit and therefore is effective to limit upward movement of the piston.

Carried by the valve stem I6 is the contact arm .26 of a rheostat 21 comprising a resistance winding 28. In the movement of the valve stem, the resistance of the rheostat is varied, itbeing maximum when the valve i2 is closed and minimum when the valve is in its full-open position (as governed by the upward limit of travel of the piston I1). The rheostat is connected by a wire 29, through the coil of a solenoid 30, to the terminal 3| of terminals 3| and 32 provided for the connection of a convenient source of electrical energy; the otherpower terminal 32 being connected bya wire 33 directly to the rheostat.

nected by a'bell crank 36 and link 31 to a bimetallic member 38. The solenoid plunger is so.

arranged with respect to its coil that, when energized, its force is upward, tending to flex the bimetallic member in a clockwise direction.

One lead of the pump motor is connected by wires 33, through switch 25, to a fixed-contact 40 with which a contact 4|, carried by the bimetallic member, cooperates. One lead of the reliefvalve solenoid 23 is connected by a wire 42 to another fixed contact 43, cooperable with a contact 44 carried .by a flexible arm 45, secured to.

the bimetallic member. The other lead of the pump motor and of the relief-valve solenoid are connected together and, by a wire 46, tov the power terminal 32.. The bimetallic member being connectedto wire 29 which extends from the other power terminal 3|, it will thus be seen that the relief-valve solenoid is energized when contacts 43-44 engage; and that the pump motor is energized (if switch 25 is in its normal closed I condition) whencontacts 4il--4l engage.

The operation of the control system will now ce described; it being assumed that the bimetallic member or thermostat 38 is located in a space heated by the furnace and that it is arranged to warp toward contact-closing position upon fall of temperature.

Assuming further that heating is discontinued at night and that, when the system is put into operation in the morning, the temperature .of the space is considerably below that for which the thermostat is set; both pairs of; contacts 40- and 43-44 therefore being tightly closed, both the pump motor and the relief-valve solenoid are energized, with the result that the piston I1 is raised by the circulated liquid to a position at which it opens switch 25, stopping the pump. The relief valve being closed, the piston remains in elevated position holding thefuel supply valve I member l-3 fully open. The resistance of rheostat 21 now being at its minimum value, maximum force tending to open contacts 40-4! and 43-44 is exerted on the bimetal by the solenoid 30.

However, the force produced by this solenoid is not suificient to open the contacts under the present cold-condition of the space, this force.

being relatively weak and. approximately equal to the effect of a change in temperature of ;the thermostat of 2-4 degrees.- In industrial applications, the biasing or false temperature? effect of the solenoid maybe considerably greater. 0bviously, means other than those disclosed herein could be provided for variablybiasing the thermostat according to the valve position; as an extreme example: a spring directly interconnecting the bimetallic member and the valve stem.

As the temperature of the space accordingly rises, when it is a few degrees below the desired temperature for which the thermostat is set, the force of the solenoid opens contacts -4l, the

contacts '43- remaining in engagement with the arm flexed inwardly. But, as the motor circuit is already open at switch 25, no change in operation occurs. Upon further rise of space temperature, the contacts 43-44 also open, de-

-' raised position.

. heating is discontinued. However, in normal by the change in thermostat bias.

winter operation of the system, this may not occur as over-run" of the furnace is efl'ectively prevented. In the fully-closed position of the fuel supply valve, the resistance of the rheostat is such that no material force is exerted on the thermostat by the solenoid; thus, as the space cools, the thermostat closes the contacts at the true temperature for which it is set. Upon initial engagement of contacts 43-44, the reliefvalve is conditioned for the subsequentoperation of the liquid-pressure motor when contacts 40-4! additionally engage.

While I have described my invention as applied to the control of a heating system, it is obviously not so limited, as changes within the scope of one skilled in the art may be made to effect the control of other condition-changing systems,

such as, for instance, a cooling, super-heat, humidifying, pressure, speed, or liquid-level system. For example, in a liquid-level system, a float could be provided with sequential circuit-controlling means, similar to those of the thermostat in the heating system illustration, for controlling, by electrically controlled liquid-pressure-motoroperated valve positioning means cooperating -with the circuit cont olling means, the rate of liquid flow in accordance with the variation of the liquid from a predetermined level. In a speed 1. In combination: means for changing a condition; a member movable in opposite directions between limiting positions, and capable of assum-. ing a plurality of other positions intermediate thereof, for varying the, operation of said condition changing means; liquid pressure operated means, including an electrically operated pump,

' for moving said member in one of said directions; means biasing said member in the other of saiddirections; electrically operated valve means for relieving the liquid pressure applied to said moving means whereby'the member is rise, contacts 43-44 again open and the piston falls to-a still lower position before it is checked With the piston in this position (the fuel supply-valve being results. If the reduced heating rate is not sufflcient to compensate for heat losses in thespace its temperature accordingly falls, contacts 2 4lt+ -+l;l'engage, energizing the pump motor'sc I [that the piston'starts to, rise. I-Ho'wever, as this occurs antacts' 40- are reopened by the re trues -menace force exerted-bathe bimetallic ember-by the sfolenoidand the piston is halted The" iiel supply valve is thus'positioned in accordancewith the heating requirements-of the space; In-norrnal operatiomthe valve may ccntinu'e toJmove' upward and downward within its modulating range, and only reach its full-open position i f-the space is subjected to excessive cooling. Obviously, if, the .temperature of the space rises above that for which'the thermostat B set, both pairs of thermostat contacts open and I partly. closed) moderate ,heating"-.'of thespace' ance with the position of the former.

'2. In combinationz' means for-(changing a con.-

- dition; ainemberjmovable inopposite'directions between limiting positions, and. capable of assumiiig a plpflfityfoifothet .positions intermedirections; means biasing said.member, in the other o'fgsaid directionsfqelectricallyoperated valve means, adapted, when unenergized, to re-'] li'eve the liquid pressure applied to said moving means whereby the member is moved by said terconnecting said movable member and said condition responsive means for variably biasing diate thereof, for, erving the ideerstion 'of said 'cunditionrclianging-means; pressureJopprided-means, including an electrically operated pump, for moving said member inf'one of said former.

the former.

"temperature of a space; a member movable in said moving means whereby the member is the latter in accordancewith the position of the 3. In-combination: means for changing a condition; a member movable-in opposite directions between. limiting positions, and capable of assuming a plurality of other positions intermedii ate thereof, for varying the operation of said, condition changing means; liquid pressure operated means,- including an electrically operated pump, for moving said member in one. of'said 1 directions; meansbiasing said member in the other of said directions; electrically operated valve means adapted, when unenergized, to re-,' lieve the liquid pressure applied to said moving means whereby the member is moved by said 1 bias; meansmovable in response to change in said condition; first switching means, actuated by the movement I of said condition responsive I means in one direction, for effecting energization of said relief valve; second switching means, ad- 20.

ditionally actuated by subsequentimovement of the condition responsivemeans in said one direction, for efie'cting energizationof said pump; and means interconnecting said movable member and said condition responsive means for variably biasing the latter in accordance with the position ofthe former. f

4.1a combination: means for changingthe temperature of a' space: a member movable in V opposite directions between limiting positions, and capable'of assuming a plurality of -ot her po sitions intermediate thereof, -for varying the op.-

oration or-"said; temperature changing means;

liquid pressure operated means, including an electrically operated pump. for moving said' member-in one of said directions: means biasing said member in the other of said directions;

electrically operated valve means for relieving the liquid pressure applied to said moving means to. changesin the-temperature thereof, for setemperature responsive means for variably biasing the latter-in accordance with'the position of 5.:In combinationz' means for changing the opposite directions between limiting and capable of assuminga plurality of other po-.

' sitions intermediate thereof, for varying the op eration 'of said temperature changing means,-

liquid pressure operated means, including an 55 eifecting. energization of saidpumptand means interconnecting said movable member and electrically operated pump, for moving said memher in one of said directions; means biasing'saidmember in the other of said directions: clec-.

trically operated valve means adapted, when unenergized, to relieve the liquid pressure pplied to moved by said bias; means in said spaceand movable in response to changesin the temper whereby the member'is moved by said-bias:

means in said space, and movable in response I means',-.'for sequentia1ly efiecting'energ'ization 0t said relief valve andsaid pump; and means in-,

position of the former.

6. In; combination: means" for changing the temperature of a space; a-member movable in Y opp site directions between limitin positions,

and capable of assuming aplurality of other positions intermediate thereof, for varying the op- .eration of said temperature changing means:

liquid pressure operated means, includingan electrically operated pump, for moving said memher in one ,of' said directions; means biasing said J [member in the other of said directions: electrlcally operated valve means adapted,,when.un'- T :energized, to relieve the liquid pressure applied to saidmoving means whereby-the-member is."

moved by said bias; means in said "space and movable in response to changes in the tempera turethereof; first switching means actuatedby 1 the movement of said space temperature responsive means in one direction, for eflecting energizationiof said relief valve: second switching V means, additionally actuated by subsequent movement of the temperature responsive means in said one direction, for efle'cting energization' of said pump: and means interconnecting Sa d sponsive means for variably biasing thelatter in accordance with the position of they former. a

, "7. In combination; means for heating a space;

a member movable in opposite directions between liquid pressure 'operated" ,-meaps, including an I electrically operated pump, for moving said member in such direction, as to increase the temperature of the space: means biasing said memher in an opposite direction: electrically operated I valve means adapted, when unenergized, to reiieve the liquid pressure applied to said'moving meanswhereby themember is moved by said bias: means in said space and movablein response to changes inthe temperature thereof: switching means, actuated, upon fall ,of-

movable member and said space temperature retemperature in said space. by the movement of 4 said temperature responsive means, for eflecthig energiaation of said relief valve:.second switch-' ing means, additionally upon continued .fall of space temperature, by continued move-L 1 ment of the temperature responsive means, for

space temperature responsive means for variab biasing the latter, in a direction opposedjto th t oo-ture, in accordancewlth the position of the for- 

